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Cheap Trick — On Top Of the World
Album: Heaven Tonight
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1704









Released: 1978
Length: 3:50
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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You're on top of the world
You're on top of the world and you can't
Get any higher-you're on top of the world
You're on top of the world tonight

It wasn't easy- it was hard as hell
You didn't get luck in a wishin' well
Never worked so hard- had so much pain
Wouldn't change for anything
Learned love from a movie screen
He was tough, she was wild at fifteen
Hated school and had no dreams
Wasn't going very far

Then he got religion and she got a god
It's on her back and it's in his job
And it costs lots of money, honey- oh, no

You're on top of the world
You're on top of the world and you can't
Get any higher-you're on top of the world
You're on top of the world tonight

Breakdown nearly every day
Shoulda known he couldn't get away
Got lucky with the girl next door
She was lonely and didn't care
She was young, she was dark, she was fair
Wrapped herself around you with her stare
You'd explode if she would touch you there
Touch you there- touch you there

Then he got religion and she got a god
It's on her back and it's in his job
And it costs lots of money, honey- oh, no

Tonight, tonight
You're on top of the world
You're on top of the world and you can't
Get any higher
You're on top of the world
You're on top of the world tonight

Tonight, tonight,tonight, tonight
You're on top of the world and you can't
Get any higher
You're on top of the world
You're on top of the world tonight

(can you hear me, can you see me) you're on top of the world tonight
(can you hear me, can you see me) you're on top of the world tonight
(can you hear me, can you see me) you're on top of the world tonight
(can you hear me, can you see me) you're on top of the world tonight
(can you hear me, can you see me) you're on top of the world tonight
(can you hear me, can you see me) you're on top of the world tonight
(can you hear me, can you see me) you're on top of the world tonight
Comments (240)add comment
Early Cheap Trick is the best Cheap Trick
Posted 4 months ago by roadie    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:


Never would have thought that the Wilson Sisters and Cheap Trick were actually the same duo.
You made this comment 4 years ago. So funny you say that. I am seeing Cheap Trick open for Heart at the first show of their 2024 tour in Greenville, SC in late April. I will see if they can pull it off.  Ann and Nancy play Cheap Trick tunes, take a break, change outfits and then come back out and play all of Heart's hits. 

Posted 8 months ago by tripp1    [ Reply ]
 aroma wrote:

Cheap Trick...12 years old, first vinyl! Live at Budakon (sp?). I vividly recall telling my best friend, "Now this is what rock and roll sounds like!"



Definitely could use a couple of tracks from Live at Budakon on RP
Posted 8 months ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:


Never would have thought that the Wilson Sisters and Cheap Trick were actually the same duo.


I have always known this. Also Dea Matrona.
Posted 10 months ago by bkrans9    [ Reply ]
 aroma wrote:

Cheap Trick...12 years old, first vinyl! Live at Budakon (sp?). I vividly recall telling my best friend, "Now this is what rock and roll sounds like!"


That intro to "Ain't That a Shame" was amazing. Got played over and over on FM radio when it came out. 
Posted 1 year ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 lynn01 wrote:

from spoon's "the hardest cut" to cheap trick's "on top of the world" - great segue Bill, long live RP!



damn, i missed that, it would have been awesome. on the rock mix it came right after patti smith so you want to be a rock n roll star. not bad, but man,  not as good as the hardest cut.

still, i don't remember ever hearing this cheap trick song. dig it!!
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:

i bet these guys put on a good rnr show

they got rnr chops



Having seen them live in 1984 -- yes, they put on an absolutely rockin' show. Guitar player really steals it with making crazy faces at the audience and clowning around the whole time.   
Posted 1 year ago by TallCreative1    [ Reply ]
 shhhh777 wrote:

now That's Hair!




LOL!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
now That's Hair!
Posted 2 years ago by shhhh777    [ Reply ]
from spoon's "the hardest cut" to cheap trick's "on top of the world" - great segue Bill, long live RP!
Posted 2 years ago by lynn01    [ Reply ]
Very interisting and stealing song. Love it 
Posted 2 years ago by noe.architecte169    [ Reply ]
i bet these guys put on a good rnr show

they got rnr chops
Posted 2 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 justlistening wrote:

Caught these guys in Asbury Park NJ in '77 when I was 15.  A few buddies and I scored tickets that included a charted bus ride down the Garden State Parkway from Northern Jersey - about an hour and a half ride by bus.  Can't believe my parents let me go.  

The show was pretty decent. We had fourth row seats and these gorgeous women from Philadelphia  (twenty something) wanted to get close to the stage so they were squeezing in  between us. They really didn't care about us (although they were nice to us).

To be honest that was the highlight of the show for my then 15 year old self (and I think my friends too).

Made the ride home worth it.  The bus we were on was a dog and kept on breaking down.  Between traffic and overheating, it took us close to four hours to get home.

Made for a memorable trip that's for sure



Great story! Thanks!
Posted 2 years ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
The pretty ones made the front cover. The not-so-pretty ones were relegated to the back cover.
Posted 2 years ago by frisbeepilot    [ Reply ]
WOW...new to me Cheap Trick...BillG doing the deep cuts....LLRP!!!!
Posted 2 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
Opening riffs reminded me of B52s!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 mrhughsmith wrote:

wow..2 years and nobody commented..you jsut solved the 70's for me


Too funny!
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
wow..2 years and nobody commented..you jsut solved the 70's for me
Posted 3 years ago by mrhughsmith    [ Reply ]
 RabbitEars wrote:
It's Todd Rundgren, another production wizard.



Nope, it's Tom Werman, who also produced In Color and Dream Police!
Posted 3 years ago by 3Chords    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:

If Jeff Lynne doesn't have something to do with this, I might have to eat my hat. I'm not making any promises, you understand.

It's Todd Rundgren, another production wizard.

Posted 3 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
 aroma wrote:

Cheap Trick...12 years old, first vinyl! Live at Budakon (sp?). I vividly recall telling my best friend, "Now this is what rock and roll sounds like!"



Same story here!  i think i got the album for christmas that year at age 11.  i still play it.  Rock on, Rockford, IL!
Posted 3 years ago by Wisconsinrob    [ Reply ]
and a heckuva guitar player and druumer

turn over that album cover
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
the best band ever...from rockford, il

you all should visit
Posted 3 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Lot of Fun...good times revisited . tonight tonight !!
Posted 3 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:

If Jeff Lynne doesn't have something to do with this, I might have to eat my hat. I'm not making any promises, you understand.



My thoughts exactly!
Posted 3 years ago by PinkSo    [ Reply ]
ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS OF 1978
Posted 3 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
If Jeff Lynne doesn't have something to do with this, I might have to eat my hat. I'm not making any promises, you understand.
Posted 3 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
Cheap Trick...12 years old, first vinyl! Live at Budakon (sp?). I vividly recall telling my best friend, "Now this is what rock and roll sounds like!"
Posted 3 years ago by aroma    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:


Never would have thought that the Wilson Sisters and Cheap Trick were actually the same duo.
 
They're NOT    it was the 70's  we all wanted to  look like that .  and then...Miami Vice
Posted 4 years ago by grhorn    [ Reply ]
 chadlymn wrote:

You're one of the worst judges of talent ever!
 

Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
 Propayne wrote:
Love it, thanks Bill -
 

More Cheap Trick.
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
Caught these guys in Asbury Park NJ in '77 when I was 15.  A few buddies and I scored tickets that included a charted bus ride down the Garden State Parkway from Northern Jersey - about an hour and a half ride by bus.  Can't believe my parents let me go.  

The show was pretty decent. We had fourth row seats and these gorgeous women from Philadelphia  (twenty something) wanted to get close to the stage so they were squeezing in  between us. They really didn't care about us (although they were nice to us).

To be honest that was the highlight of the show for my then 15 year old self (and I think my friends too).

Made the ride home worth it.  The bus we were on was a dog and kept on breaking down.  Between traffic and overheating, it took us close to four hours to get home.

Made for a memorable trip that's for sure
Posted 4 years ago by justlistening    [ Reply ]
One of the all time great live bands. Rick Nielsen on guitar just puts a big grin on your face.
Posted 4 years ago by philip1    [ Reply ]
Cheap Trick was the first concert I ever went to. I think I was 11 and my mom was determined to accompany us but that didn't stop us from smoking a doobie. Great time!
Posted 4 years ago by dcab333    [ Reply ]
 citybiker wrote:

YOU'RE SPOT ON!
 

Those two Goddesses do not deserve to be disgraced like this.  They are from a dimension only immortals have access to.
Posted 4 years ago by gingerfrank    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:


Never would have thought that the Wilson Sisters and Cheap Trick were actually the same duo.
 
YOU'RE SPOT ON!
Posted 5 years ago by citybiker    [ Reply ]
Still kicking butt and taking names... 
Posted 5 years ago by ToddyWoddy    [ Reply ]
I appreciate the energy, but I think this would have driven me to Disco in 1978
Posted 5 years ago by obankenobi    [ Reply ]


Never would have thought that the Wilson Sisters and Cheap Trick were actually the same duo.
Posted 5 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
Wow, I like this better than the crap they put out on top 40. Still crap tho
Posted 5 years ago by MayBaby    [ Reply ]
 Relayer wrote:
You have to love when a band puts the minimum effort possible into an album cover.
 

Yeah, who wouldn't like a pretty girl on a cover?
Posted 5 years ago by 123heyaho!    [ Reply ]
You have to love when a band puts the minimum effort possible into an album cover.
Posted 5 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
Love it, thanks Bill -
Posted 5 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
brings back memories. l was 18 and free at last.
Posted 5 years ago by azjames    [ Reply ]
I know. It's only rock and roll, but I like it. Sue me.
It's not complicated or frilly. It just rocks, and I'm good with that.
Posted 7 years ago by Lindo525    [ Reply ]
Hard to think of a band that annoys me more.
Posted 7 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
 nicknt wrote:
One of the worst bands of all time.

 
You're one of the worst judges of talent ever!
Posted 7 years ago by chadlymn    [ Reply ]
 nicknt wrote:
One of the worst bands of all time.

 
{#Beat}
Posted 7 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
One of the worst bands of all time.
Posted 7 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
To truly appreciate this song, you have to see this video. I'm guessing that Rick Nielsen was running on something a little higher octane than caffeine.The Rockpalast concerts on YouTube are pretty awesome. A priceless time capsule from another time...

https://youtu.be/6hlMRu-oqAU 


Posted 7 years ago by ravnur    [ Reply ]
Sophmore screamo with a side of tonsils . . .

PSD. 

Posted 7 years ago by opv    [ Reply ]
A 4 until the final 20 sec of Beatlesque harmony. 6.
Posted 8 years ago by Hogtownmike    [ Reply ]
Where I live, I hear this ad nauseam on every classic rock station. Nothing wrong with the band or the song. PSD is the option.
Posted 8 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
<R. Plant voice>  OH, SO GOOD!   <R. Plant voice>
Posted 8 years ago by wtango    [ Reply ]
 msymmes wrote:
I gotta give this a NINE POINT FIVE !
 

 
Another bloke who hands out 9s and 10s like they're hotcakes {#Beat}
Posted 8 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
They just got inducted to the R & R Hall Of Fame...they tore it up on stage, they still tour every year all year long...amazing!
Posted 8 years ago by molson    [ Reply ]
Y wise Z
    head
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
Hated them at the time.  I've mellowed about a half point since then.
Posted 8 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
I gotta give this a NINE POINT FIVE !
 
Posted 8 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 pomalley wrote:
Totally dig every song on their first album.... In color 
 

 
Um, er...In Color is their 2nd album
Posted 8 years ago by Emwolb    [ Reply ]
Cheap Trick is horrible when they play ballads, just awful!  They are great when they rock out though.
Posted 8 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
RnR from Rockford IL!!!
Posted 8 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
It was a rock, a rock lobster!

Oh, wait.
Posted 8 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
Yup, kcar, I saw it, and yes, I have lived it...and, thankfully, I STILL AM LIVING IT! I'm On Top of the World - and I'm still getting higher!
Posted 8 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
Air-Guitar Masters of the Past, get up and rock the living room to this thing! Crank it up and feel the late '70s rippling through your veins! You're out in Mom's car and you've scored some beer and you got a Frisbee full of weed and THIS is on the 8-Track Tape Deck!

 
{#Roflol}

Ever see "Dazed and Confused"? Great movie. Sounds like you lived it...

"Frisbee full of weed"...a world I never made.  Shame you likely didn't have the right Frisbee: 

A Frisbee that doubles as a bong, sold at a head shop
Just don't play in Ankeny, IA...


Posted 8 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
nice track
1st time hearing it 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
Totally dig every song on their first album.... In color 
 
Posted 8 years ago by pomalley    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
Air-Guitar Masters of the Past, get up and rock the living room to this thing! Crank it up and feel the late '70s rippling through your veins! You're out in Mom's car and you've scored some beer and you got a Frisbee full of weed and THIS is on the 8-Track Tape Deck!

 
woooo-hooooo toss it this way cj!!!  pheeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwp - hooooooooooooooooooooooo   aaaahhhhh man thats good shit
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
This sort of defines Radio Paradise and B & R's talent for truly mixing it up.

RP will be regarded as the ultimate classic "fill in the blank here" radio station since Marconi did his thing.
 
Posted 8 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
Just a good ole RnR band from northern IL. They have a museum in their hometown of Rockford. 
Posted 8 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
The Trick shoulda never done ballads imo. They need to rock to be effective, ballads don't work with them.
Posted 8 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Always, always, ALWAYS gets things really cooking on the sub-woofer under the desk here! Makes me wanna hear Auf Weidersehen!
Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:


  These guys, THE PRIDE OF ROCKFORD, get no love from The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:  
  
 

They just got nominated today!! 

Robert Romanus as Mike Damone from Fast Times at Ridgemont High
   
       
Somewhere, "Mike Damone" has his fingers crossed.
Posted 9 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
I can think of a lot better Cheap Trick songs to play....
Posted 9 years ago by kylieh    [ Reply ]

{#Bananajam}


Posted 9 years ago by Ipse_Dixit    [ Reply ]
 Propayne wrote:
Oh hell yes.

I'll always be a sucker for smart, catchy power pop.

 
Ditto.
Posted 9 years ago by ThirdRail_33    [ Reply ]


  These guys, THE PRIDE OF ROCKFORD, get no love from The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:  
 
Cheap Trick - In Color And In Black And White
If there's room for KISS & Rush, there's gotta be room for Cheap Trick!
Posted 9 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 jules44 wrote:
Why Bill, Why!?

 
Because.  Just because :)
Posted 9 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Air-Guitar Masters of the Past, get up and rock the living room to this thing! Crank it up and feel the late '70s rippling through your veins! You're out in Mom's car and you've scored some beer and you got a Frisbee full of weed and THIS is on the 8-Track Tape Deck!
Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Wonderful, feel good '70s power pop sounding like it should.

Perfect to crank up on the radio of your '70 XR-7 Cougar as you cruise with you girl to the Queen Anne Dairy Snack. 
Posted 9 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
TIGHT drumming, KILLER bass, AMAZING vocals, and MAD SCREAMING GUITARS — I'm On Top Of The World hearing this on RP!
Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 photolew wrote:
it was "good" in its day....a bit dated now IMO
 
Dude, that's .... like ... your opinion, man.  Frankly, this brought a big grin to my chin.
Posted 10 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
it was "good" in its day....a bit dated now IMO
Posted 10 years ago by photolew    [ Reply ]
Have always liked Cheap Trick. Didn't take themselves too seriously and that makes their music fun and enjoyable.
Posted 10 years ago by ajlept    [ Reply ]
Brutal
Posted 10 years ago by Stranglersfan    [ Reply ]

Old School Cheap Trick,  I love it!!!


Posted 10 years ago by Baketown    [ Reply ]
Why Bill, Why!?
Posted 10 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:
REALLY?!

Come on.... no need for this here.... back to the good tunes please

 

 

How wrong you are.  Great diversion from the way too much folky singer/songwriter material that has a stranglehold here.
Posted 10 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
Forgot  about this song.  Always liked Cheap Trick.  Foreigner, Boston, Styx - NO.  Cheap Trick?  Ya.
Posted 10 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
Blast from the past
Posted 10 years ago by TheBorgBuilder    [ Reply ]
B52's, then Devo, then Squeeze. Gotta get all them late 70's styles in there.
Posted 10 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
Strange how so many people missed what was cool and clever and often great about this band
Posted 10 years ago by ccjemmett    [ Reply ]
 mikec09 wrote:
Classic example of a song/group that doesn't stand the test of time!

 
I lol'd at how wrong you are.
Posted 11 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
It's doesn't get any better than Cheap Trick!
Posted 11 years ago by chadlymn    [ Reply ]
 treatment_bound wrote:
Robin's hair looks like a standard late 70's blow dry job, but Tom's looks like it took SOME WORK!

 
Looks like a poodle here: 

Cheap Trick in early days

Always loved Bun E. Carlos. Looked like CPA gone bad. 

Did Cheap Trick last? Well, yes and no. They're mostly a nostalgia act now, I guess. The band was always a bit of a goof we were all in on. They were in the very middle of the sweet spot of 70-80s AOR FM radio. Tastes changed and they weren't really in a position to move on from being a very stylized slice of 80s silliness.

I'm sure they've had a lot of fun over the years though. The instrumental lead in for "Ain't That a Shame" from "Live at Budokan" is still amazing. 
 
Posted 11 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
RP often continues to pleasantly surprise me
Posted 11 years ago by Paul_Thomsen    [ Reply ]
Robin's hair looks like a standard late 70's blow dry job, but Tom's looks like it took SOME WORK!
Posted 11 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
Classic example of a song/group that doesn't stand the test of time!
Posted 11 years ago by mikec09    [ Reply ]
 camatcba wrote:
I still have the vinyl!

 
Electric Light Orchestra too?
Posted 11 years ago by gresua    [ Reply ]
REALLY?!

Come on.... no need for this here.... back to the good tunes please

 
Posted 11 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
Nice! You just gave me a flashbump. :-)

From what I can remember of my misspent youth, I think I saw them back with the Cars and Foreigner at Cap Centre in Maryland.... Awesome show from what I can remember.

PS> A flashbump is a goosebump caused by a flashback. :-) 
Posted 11 years ago by theralph    [ Reply ]
Oh hell yes.

I'll always be a sucker for smart, catchy power pop.
Posted 11 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
I still have the vinyl!
Posted 11 years ago by camatcba    [ Reply ]
 msymmes wrote:
Leaves me speechless.
 

Still don't know what to say.
Posted 11 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
Wow, they really used to LIGHT THINGS UP, didn't they?  I can't forget driving in Dad's Olds Vista Cruiser, before I got my own bad-assed Cutlass, and this came on the radio, and my buddy Karlan and I smoked another bowl, and as we rolled into the park to toss the Frisbee, we kept singing lines from it as we played...and they became a permanent fixture in our tape decks for years to come...  In '82 or so I saw them play on SoundStage and got into them all over again...and every few years, same thing...  Was blessed and lucky enough to see them play the 30-year Anniversary show at Budokan in Tokyo, too...and wore the T-shirt from that just yesterday and got thumbs-up from folks on the street...  Because you know what?  They STILL sound so darn good!   Thanks, RP, for playing this!
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Saw them on the Dream Police tour - '80, 81? Great live performance! Good memories.
Posted 11 years ago by R7-12    [ Reply ]
 SchoepTone wrote:
Album released in '78? This holds up very well. 
 
Love the Cheap Trick.
Posted 11 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
Album released in '78? This holds up very well. 
Posted 12 years ago by SchoepTone    [ Reply ]
Leaves me speechless.
Posted 12 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
under 

impediguy wrote:
Cheap-Trick was the only band that I know of that was both over-rated and under-rated at the same time.
 


Posted 12 years ago by blotto    [ Reply ]
 d48m02h1918 wrote:
Only 6.1??  Has the world gone mad??
 
Frickin' snobs.
Posted 12 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Never heared this before! Not bad!
 
Posted 12 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 d48m02h1918 wrote:
Only 6.1??  Has the world gone mad??
 

Indeed! 10 all the way.
Posted 12 years ago by Bosami    [ Reply ]
Only 6.1??  Has the world gone mad??
Posted 12 years ago by d48m02h1918    [ Reply ]
Brings back memories.  Thanks for playing.
Posted 12 years ago by Keef    [ Reply ]
I have not heard them on RP before, I saw them in '85 one the best shows I have ever seen!  I am going to see them again in about a month,  can't wait!
Posted 12 years ago by Baketown    [ Reply ]
Heaven Tonight - An AMAZING Album - check it out & play it LOUD
Posted 12 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
Awesome, didn't expect to hear Cheap Trick here.  One of the underrated bands of the 70's/80's IMO.
Posted 12 years ago by SinisterDexter    [ Reply ]
Ain't Cheap Trick without any of the four of them. None of the albums without Tom were all that good. One of the best live bands ever.
Posted 12 years ago by jpbergjr58    [ Reply ]
Ha! No doubt, they truly were. I always kinda liked them, though not super crazy 'bout em.

Posted: Feb 22, 2012 - 13:12 < Reply >
impediguy wrote:
Cheap-Trick was the only band that I know of that was both over-rated and under-rated at the same time.

I'd lean toward the highly underrated end of the spectrum here....

 MiracleDrug wrote:


I'd lean toward the highly underrated end of the spectrum here....
 


Posted 12 years ago by randyblew    [ Reply ]